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Teach English South Korea: Salaries, Opportunities, Requirements

Have you ever considered teaching abroad? From the best destinations to the salaries on offer, check out how to teach English in South Korea here!

 

 

Everything You Need To Know About Teaching English In South Korea

 

What is it that attracts you to South Korea? Is it the packed, vibrant neon-lit streets of Seoul? K-Pop culture? The idea of lazing on an Instagrammable Busan beach? Or perhaps sampling some bulgogi on Jeju Island. Whatever aspect of Korea fuels your wanderlust, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) could be your passport to forging a new life in the peninsular. From an abundance of job opportunities, and high-paying salaries, to friendly and eager students, teaching English in South Korea has become one of the most in-demand career paths in the nomad world, helping hundreds of individuals create memories of a lifetime seeing more of the world and earning a hefty salary for good measure. So today we decided to delve into what makes teaching in South Korea such an enticing choice, exploring the requirements, opportunities, salaries, benefits and best destinations to get going! 

 

Requirements For Teaching Abroad 

 

Before we dive into where to teach and the types of job opportunities available for English teachers in Korea, it’s worth sparing a few lines on the requirements needed for tutoring overseas. 

 

You’ll need an E-2 visa to begin working legally in South Korea. E-2 visas are specifically designed for English teachers aiming to teach English in the country, so it is absolutely the best route for living and working for the long term. You’ll need to apply for a teaching position and have proof of employment before you can apply for an E-2 visa. Other requirements for an E-2 visa include: 

 

  • A clean criminal background check
  • A clean health exam and drug test
  • A Bachelor’s degree
  • Being a native English speaker from the USA, Canada, UK, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, OR have proof of English-medium education for at least seven years.

 

Prior teaching experience is not mandatory for obtaining an E-2 visa or finding work as a TEFL teacher in South Korea. But, if you’re unable to teach in the country, there’s always the option to teach English online to Korean students, which you can do from anywhere in the world with a diploma from an accredited provider such as The TEFL Academy. 

 

Where To Teach 

 

Seoul 

 

 
 

The country’s capital city, South Korea is a bustling metropolis that has become one of the global hubs for digital nomads. Unsurprisingly, it remains one of the most popular destinations for TEFL teachers abroad. 

 

Busan

 

 

A vibrant coastal city that blends the fun of urban living with beach vibes. Haeundae Beach is a top-tier spot to visit with plenty of concerts, activities and events to join in with. 

 

Gwangju

 

 

For those out there who are looking for a little bit more culture in their trips, Gwanju is a great place to teach! With a wide array of museums, galleries and festivals, the city is an alternative destination for experiencing a slower, more laid-back approach to life. 

 

Types Of Teaching Jobs In South Korea

 

As we mentioned before, South Korea has grown to become one of the most popular destinations for TEFL teachers abroad, and there are an array of different positions available for teaching English: 

 

Government-sponsored Programs

 

South Korea’s governments have invested heavily in improving their students’ English language skills by offering native English speakers from abroad the opportunity to teach in their public schools. The most common of these programs include EPIK, SMOE and GEPIK, with most of these positions hiring twice a year during the fall and spring terms on one-year contracts. Applicants can expect to teach for roughly 22 hours, work 40 hours per week and earn a salary of roughly 1.5-3 million KW per month. 

 

Universities 

 

For those with prior teaching experience and a high-quality TEFL diploma on their CV, teaching English at a South Korean university can be one of the most lucrative job opportunities available. These job postings come at a premium, however, long holiday allowances and housing stipends are some of the additional benefits of landing a position in a university across the country. 

 

Recruitment Companies 

 

Don’t fancy sourcing a position and moving to another country by yourself? Get someone to help you! Recruitment companies are a great way of finding positions and assisting with all the legwork that comes with working abroad, and bodies such as Korean Horizons, Korvia Consulting, and GoldKey Education are all top-tier for guiding and supporting applicants throughout the interview, arrival and settlement process once you’ve touched down.

 

Private Institutions 

 

Behind government-sponsored programs, private schools (also known as hagwons) are the next most popular means of finding work as an English teacher in South Korea. Hagwons are after-school academies that students attend for extra-curricular learning. Teaching in these institutions offers a more flexible option than traditional classroom contracts, the classes are smaller and they come with the added benefit of working alongside other English teachers. 

 

Average Teacher Salary In South Korea 

 

How much you earn as an English teacher in South Korea depends very much on the position, its location in the country and your own skills i.e. prior teaching experience, quality of TEFL certification etc. For example, a level 3 120-hour TEFL course at The TEFL Academy will equip you with all the fundamentals to teach English abroad, however, a 168-hour level 5 course comes with additional training on teaching young learners and teaching one-on-one.

 

Generally, salaries in South Korea are competitive and higher than in other countries, especially in the world of TEFL:

 

  • A salary teaching in a public school will roughly be $1,700-$2,200 per month. 
  • Salaries usually start at $1,600-$3,100 in a private school or a hagwon. 
  • A monthly salary at a university is typically even higher, between $1,900-$3,200.

 

There are even opportunities to earn extra cash by teaching in summer camps during the off-season. These positions won’t be in violation of your contract as they are usually manned by individuals who work in South Korea’s public schools. 

 

Living And Working In Korea

 

Teaching English in South Korea represents one of the most culturally enriching and worthwhile experiences any slow travel enthusiast can have. From Seoul to Busan, there are endless festivals and events to attend, stunning natural attractions to see and countless local delicacies to sample. Teaching jobs in South Korea come with a great work-life balance, the salaries are some of the most competitive in the teaching industry and job postings remain plentiful for those with the certification and right passion for teaching!

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